Saplunara Beach

Saplunara — from the Latin word for sand — is a hidden gem on the eastern tip of Mljet island, one of the greenest and most pristine islands in the Mediterranean. This secluded sandy beach sits in a sheltered bay surrounded by dense pine and holm oak forest, with warm, crystal-clear water that glows in shades of emerald and turquoise. Mljet's western half is a national park containing two stunning saltwater lakes (Veliko and Malo Jezero) connected to the sea by a narrow channel — the larger lake contains a tiny island with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, creating one of the most romantic settings in Croatia.

According to legend, Odysseus was shipwrecked on Mljet and held captive by the nymph Calypso in a cave near Saplunara for seven years. The island has no large settlements, no nightlife, and limited tourist infrastructure — which is precisely its charm. Dense forest covers 72% of the island, making it a haven for hiking, cycling, and kayaking in near-solitude.